Mourning for former prefect of the congregation for the clergy

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Mourning for former prefect of the congregation for the clergy

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos (archival photo from 2000) © N.N. (CBA)

Colombian cardinal emeritus and former prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy, Dario Castrillon Hoyos, is dead. The Colombian clergyman died in Rome on Thursday morning at the age of 88.

This information was provided by the Colombian Episcopal Conference. A few hours earlier, the bishops' conference had called for prayers for the sick cardinal via Twitter. On 21. In February 1998, Castrillon Hoyos was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. appointed cardinal.

In a telegram of condolences, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for Castrillon's "generous commitment to the Church". In the letter to the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, he particularly mentions the work of the Colombian as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and President of the "Ecclesia Dei" Commission.

At the head of the Congregation for the Clergy

Born in Medellin in 1929, Castrillon studied theology in his native Colombia and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, specializing in canon law, sociology of religion, economic policy and business ethics. In 1952 he was ordained priest in Rome. After various pastoral assignments in his native diocese, he became secretary general of the Colombian Episcopal Conference in 1966. He also taught canon law at the "Universita Civile Libera" in Medellin.

Pope Paul VI. (1963-1978) appointed Castrillon bishop and coadjutor of Pereira in 1971. He took this bishop's seat in 1976. The Latin American Episcopal Council CELAM elected him secretary general in 1983 and president for four years in 1987. In 1992 John Paul II. (1978-2005) gave him the leadership of the Archdiocese of Bucaramanga; four years later he appointed Castrillon to head the Congregation for the Clergy in the Vatican. Castrillon has belonged to the College of Cardinals since 1998.

Key figure in the scandal surrounding Holocaust denier Williamson

Castrillon Hoyos was considered a key figure in the scandal surrounding Pope Benedict XVI's lifting of the excommunication of Holocaust denier and traditionalist bishop Richard Williamson. in January 2009. Hoyos was then president of the papal commission "Ecclesia Dei" in charge of the dialogue with the Piusi Friars.

He himself had always denied knowing about the Holocaust denial by Briton Williamson even before it was lifted. From 1996 to 2006, Hoyos served as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy for a large part of the more than 250.000 Catholic priests of the world.

The Colombian cardinal made a name for himself once again in 2010 at the height of the abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. At the time, a 2001 letter appeared in the media in which he congratulated a French bishop for not reporting a priest accused of sexual abuse to state justice. Castrillon Hoyos was considered a close confidant of former right-wing conservative President Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) in Colombia.

With a colorful celebration in Sydney Harbour, Pope Benedict XVI. on Thursday at 23. World Youth Day (WYD) has been welcomed. Tens of thousands of Australians and foreign pilgrims waited in the parks on the shore of the harbor bay to catch a glimpse of the Pope. In his welcoming speech at the Barangaroo pier, Benedict XVI called out. Youth to profess their faith and protect the environment.

Pope Benedict XVI. Condemned alcohol and drug abuse, violence against women and children, and sexual exploitation and abortion. To the young Catholics he appealed: "Do not be deceived by people who see in you only consumers in a market of indefinite possibilities."During the official welcoming ceremony in the garden of Government House, the Catholic Church leader earlier also addressed the historical injustice against the indigenous people of Australia and called for reconciliation and mutual respect. At the same time, Benedict XVI praised. In the presence of Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the "courageous decision of the Australian government to recognize past injustices committed against Indigenous peoples". Rudd welcomed Benedict XVI. On behalf of Australians of all faiths. The guest was "welcomed as an apostle of peace, at a time when we are all in great need of a voice of peace". Benedict XVI. For his part, praised Australia's involvement in international peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution in the Pacific region and Southeast Asia. In the afternoon, the head of the Church boarded the yacht "Sydney 2000" at the pier of Rose Bay. The approximately 45-minute drive to "Barangaroo East Darling Harbour," one of the central squares of World Youth Day, took the guest past Sydney's world-famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Before boarding the ship, a group of indigenous Australians greeted Benedict XVI. With traditional chants and a welcome dance. In his address to youth, the pope called for a rejection of violence and a commitment to sustainable development, justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Deforestation, erosion and wasteful exploitation of natural resources often make God's creation "hostile and dangerous" to the people who are supposed to preserve it, he said. The head of the church also spoke out against all attempts to push God, religion and faith out of public life and into the private sphere. He called on young people to be courageous witnesses for Christ: "Speak boldly of your faith, even if at times you encounter opposition and experience the cross of rejection.". World Youth Day, the largest event on Australian soil since the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, will continue until Sunday. Around 400 people are expected to attend the final service with the pope.000 people expected.

Adult men as victims of abuse of power? The "stronger sex" after all, and certainly not in the church. With a new initiative, the Catholic Church wants to bring the topic out of the taboo zone.

Pastoralreferent A. got along well with the new pastor at the beginning. But over time, noted A., that the pastor wanted to form coalitions in order to play one off against the other. The pastoral worker didn't want to play along and quickly felt the power of the priest.

"He treated me like a beginner", he describes. Everything about his work was criticized – "a display of power," says A. At the online launch event of the conference "As a man affected by abuse of power in the church" on Friday. It wants to focus more on men as victims.

Difficult to get reports on experiences

The organizers found it difficult to get reports of experiences. The head of the German Bishops' Conference's Men's Pastoral Care Office (AfM), Andreas Heek, now hopes that the kick-off event, with almost 100 participants, will encourage more affected men to describe their experiences.

The AfM, on behalf of the Pastoral Commission of the Bishops' Conference and the Conference of the Superiors of Religious Orders, organized the conference with the subtitle "Making Border Violation, Assault, Spiritual Abuse and Sexualized Violence against Adult Men Visible.".

"Men find it much more difficult to come out of their shells when they have suffered abuse of power," emphasized Archbishop Ludwig Schick, the Bishops' Conference's commissioner for men's pastoral care, after the conference.

Many do not even notice that they are abusing their power – others do not notice that they are affected by abuse of power, the Archbishop of Bamberg described a difficulty in the subject matter. Schick stressed that it was important to learn from those affected and also to obtain outside expertise.

Spiritual abuse

Just as von P., formerly a member of a spiritual community. Two years he was there – 20 years of nightmares followed. He complains about spiritual abuse that "destroyed his identity". After his experience of abuse, he had received no help from the church. On the contrary, he advises those affected to turn to the church, so as not to be abused again, for example, by trivialization.

In view of these descriptions, Premonstratensian Abbot Hermann-Josef Kugler called for an independent contact point for those affected. "Where can I turn and complain?? It must not be the church itself," stressed the representative of the German Conference of Superiors of Religious Orders.

In addition, the church must take a closer look at the role and self-image of priests. "A sacral exaltation of ordination is questionable," says Kugler.

The former head of the German Province of the Jesuits, Stefan Kiechle, pointed out that church structures could be causes for abuse of power also against men. Kiechle spoke of ecclesiastical associations of men and suggested thinking about how meaningful the vow of obedience is for religious and priests. The editor-in-chief of the magazine "Stimmen der Zeit" also emphasized:

"Many a ruler sees himself as a 'servant of God' and justifies his deeds with it. However, the service is something I do for others, not for me."This awareness is sometimes lacking.

Thomas Mann, former prevention officer for the diocese of Speyer, also calls on the church to break through power structures. "Sexual violence doesn't just happen. Structures are created, with which the perpetrator gains advantages," warned Mann.

Only just beginning to come to terms with the situation

According to Christoph Jacobs, a pastoral psychologist from Paderborn, coming to terms with and researching the abuse of power against adult men in the church is in its infancy. He encouraged an intensive exchange with those concerned. "It is a matter of returning dignity and life," he emphasized.

Archbishop Schick called for candidates for church offices to be made more aware of the ie as early as the selection process. For example, the training of priests must be adapted accordingly. "Moreover, anyone who holds office must be prepared to spend his life learning," Schick said.

The archbishop also sees a need for action at the level of canon law. "The free choice of spiritual care as well as confession must be given. In some spiritual communities, this is not the case," said Schick, who had initiated the meeting in the Bishops' Conference. He also called for clearer rules to prevent abuse of power.

Due to pandemic, the meeting had to take place online. Organizer Heek is counting on that changing at the next edition, which is planned for early April 2022 in Siegburg. "This ie actually demands a personal exchange," he said. In the chat accompanying the event, this also became clear. Harsh criticism of church officials by those affected could be read there.

"The victims react with dismay," Archbishop Schick commented. "This must be endured, only in this way can there be a further process of learning and understanding."

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